Security for vehicle starting

ABSTRACT

A system and method of providing security for a vehicle starting system. The method including a first step of storing secure information identifying an authorized user of a vehicle. A next step includes detecting an attempt to start a vehicle without an authorized coded starting device. A next step includes placing a telephone call using a vehicle communication device to a service operator requesting service. A next step includes calling the vehicle by the service operator. A next step includes confirming the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information. A next step includes authorizing the starting of the vehicle. Unauthorized coded starting devices can include a non-programmable key, an unprogrammed programmable key, and a code scanning device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to security systems for vehicles and morespecifically, to providing security for vehicle starting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many of today's electronic car keys are programmed to have a code thatmatches a code programmed in the automobile. Unless these codes match,the starting system of the vehicle is locked out, and the vehicle cannotbe started. The electronic codes, together with the mechanical keyingdetails, create very strong security for cars but the system is notperfect. Some security flaws still exist. Additionally, when a key islost the consumer may face substantial inconvenience and cost.

A first problem is encountered in the case of lost keys. There areseveral different standards of secure keys used by the automotivemanufactures. The ease and expense to replace lost or stolen keys variesconsiderably between manufactures. In the most extreme cases, the carmust be towed to the dealer where the electronic control module will bere-flashed costing several hundreds of dollars. In most cases, when akey is lost or stolen it needs to be replaced with a programmable key,that can only be provided at a dealer service center and not at a localhardware store or retail center. This can be an issue in remote areas oron weekends when dealer service centers are closed.

A second problem involves key security. Although electronic car keyssystems have improved security they are not impregnable. Today anyonecan go on the Internet and buy the equipment that will allow a person toprogram keys or and read a key code from the car. This equipment isintended to be used by a locksmith but nothing prevents the sameequipment from being used by car thieves. For example, a code scanningdevice can be used to read the code from a vehicle, or an electronic“skeleton” key, having multiple codes therein can be used to start thevehicle.

What is needed is a solution that will improve the security ofelectronically encoded car keys or transponder keys. It would also be ofbenefit to reduce cost to the consumer and improve convenience whenreplacing lost or stolen keys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel,are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by making reference to the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures ofwhich like reference numerals identify identical elements, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system overview, in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a solution that improves the security ofelectronically encoded car keys or transponder keys. In particular, thepresent invention uses an existing Telematics system in the vehicle as asecurity gate to allow programming of new keys while providing anadditional level of security. In this way, the present invention reducescost to the consumer and improves convenience when replacing lost orstolen keys. The present invention would find best application in thosecases where an authorized user does not have (e.g. has lost) their keys,but would find more general application to provide anti-theft of thevehicle. Specifically, the present invention allows an authorized userto start and drive their vehicle without having an authorized codedstarting device (e.g. coded key, RF identification, etc.). Further, thepresent invention provides a convenient technique for a user to replacea lost key.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle starting system is shown that providesimproved security for a vehicle. In its most basic form, the presentinvention includes a radio communication device 28 incorporated in thevehicle 10, a service operator 14 operable to provide service for theradio communication device 28, a controller 30 included in the vehiclestarting system and coupled to the radio communication system 28, and anunauthorized coded starting device 12 for operating the starting system.

In particular, the radio communication device 28 can be a TelematicsControl Unit (TCU) such as in an OnStar™ system, for example. In thisway, the vehicle 10 can communicate to an OnStar™ service operator 14over a network 24 using Telematics communication protocols. Inaccordance with the present invention, the service operator 14 includesa memory 40 or other storage device that is used to store secureinformation identifying an authorized user of a vehicle. In particular,the secure information can be defined by the authorized user when theTelematics service for that vehicle is first set up. For example, thesecure information is information, such as a password, mother's maidenname, birth date, information defined by the user that is only known bythe user, etc., which would only be generally known by a driver of thevehicle. In addition, secure information can include a user's homelocation or a known authorized dealer location, wherein a location ofthe vehicle can be provided by a location determination device, such asa GPS unit 38, to the service operator wherein the service operator canconfirm that the vehicle is at the user's home address or dealer beforeauthorizing starting of the vehicle. Separate secure information can bestored for each authorized user of the vehicle, or a single set ofsecure information can be stored per vehicle.

In the broadest embodiment, when the controller 30 detects anunauthorized attempt to start the vehicle, the controller 30 directs theradio communication device 28 to contact the service operator 14 to sendan identification of the vehicle and to report the unauthorized attempt.The identification can include one or more of the telephone number ofthe network access device of the TCU, the Mobile Identification Number(MIN), the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or any other uniqueidentifier. Depending upon the particular type of unauthorized accessthat is attempted, a particular programming service to authorizestarting the vehicle can be requested from the service operator alongwith available identification of the vehicle and coded starting device,if available. Upon receipt of the attempt notification and theidentifier, the service operator 14 calls the vehicle communicationdevice 28 and confirms the particular user of the vehicle using thestored information in memory 40, wherein the service operator 14authorizes the starting of the vehicle 10 if a user identity isconfirmed. The stored information can also be used to store informationas to whether the vehicle or coded starting device has been stolen, ascould be supplied through public authorities. If the vehicle or codedstarting device has been reported stolen, then authorization can bewithheld, and the authorities could be contacted and given a location ofthe vehicle (if GPS equipped). Conversely, programming a coded startingdevice could be limited to only those vehicles and/or coded startingdevices with authorized identification. Several of these aspects of thepresent invention are expanded upon below.

The present invention considers many different aspects of anunauthorized attempt to start the vehicle. In general, this is definedas any user using an unauthorized coded starting device 12 for operatingthe starting system of the vehicle. An unauthorized coded startingdevice 12 can include a programmable key 18 or wireless transponderdevice (e.g. “credit card” RF identification tag) with a transponder 42and memory 44 that has not been programmed with the proper code for thatvehicle (but possibly having the correct mechanical keying), anon-programmable key 16 (possibly having the correct mechanical keying),a multi-coded or “skeleton” key 20 (possibly used in conjunction with anon-programmable key having the correct mechanical keying), and a codereader 22 or scanner to read the code in the memory 32 of the controller30 (which is then used to program a programmable key 18 with the correctcode). As used herein, “coded” refers to not only an electrically storednumber or data specific to a vehicle or key, but also to the mechanicalkeying of a key to match tumblers in a particular ignition lock/switch.In addition, “non-programmable” also refers to programmable devices thatare malfunctioning, wherein the transponder for the device cannot bedetected.

A first embodiment of the present invention involves the case where aprogrammable key is lost and no duplicate programmed key is readilyavailable, but only an unprogammed programmable key is available. Inthis case, a driver can be easily stranded since many locksmiths,although they can provide programmable keys, do not have the equipmentto read a code and program a key, and an authorized dealer may not benearby or even open. Therefore, in accordance with the presentinvention, when the controller 30 detects that a user is using aprogrammable coded starting device 18 that has not yet been programmedto start the vehicle (i.e. the ignition switch 26 can be turned but thetransponder 42 has the wrong or missing code), the controller 30 directsthe communication device 28 to request new programming for theprogrammable coded starting device 18 from the service operator. Therequest can include an identification of the vehicle and anidentification (e.g. serial number) of the programmable coded startingdevice, if available. The service operator 14 then confirms the identityof the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information inmemory 40 by asking the user or controller 30 for one or more items ofsecure information that was pre-stored in the memory 40 when service wasinitiated identifying that particular user.

In addition, for further confirmation the service operator can confirmthat the vehicle is located at a user's home location provided byinformation transmitted from a location determination device 38.Moreover, the service operator can determine whether the vehicle islocated in a high crime area by comparing a location of the vehicleprovided by information transmitted from a location determination device38 to a list of known high theft locations pre-stored in the memory 40,wherein the service operator can apply more or more stringent securityrequirements or adjust the number of required elements for confirming anidentity of an authorized user before authorizing the particular user.The service operator 14 then compares the response(s) to the storedinformation such that if the response(s) correlates with the storedinformation the service operator can then send programming informationto the controller 28 through the radio communication device 28 forremotely programming the programmable coded starting device 18.Afterwards, the programmed key will act in all respect as the original.

Although a service operator can remote start a vehicle for a servicesubscriber without a key, such a solution is only temporary since itstill leaves a driver without a key. Advantageously, the presentinvention allows a user to have a new authorized key in a veryconvenient manner. In particular, if it is inconvenient to go to adealer for programming, a driver can just obtain a key and have theservice operator program the key in the user's very own vehicle.

A second embodiment of the present invention involves the case where aprogrammable key is lost and no duplicate programmed key is readilyavailable, but an un-programmable key is available that can only bemechanically keyed to the ignition. In this case, a driver can be easilystranded since many retail stores or hardware stores can only provideun-programmable keys, and an authorized dealer may not be nearby or evenopen. Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, when thecontroller 30 detects that a user is using a non-programmable codedstarting device 16 (which can also include a malfunctioning programmabledevice) to start the vehicle (i.e. the ignition switch 26 can be turnedbut no transponder can be detected), the controller 30 directs thecommunication device 28 to request the service operator to remotelystart the vehicle using the non-programmable coded starting device 16.The service operator 14 then confirms the identity of the particularuser of the vehicle using the stored information in memory 40 by askingthe user or controller 30 for one or more items of secure informationthat was pre-stored in the memory 40 when service was initiatedidentifying that particular user.

In addition, for further confirmation the service operator can confirmthat the vehicle is located at a user's home location provided byinformation transmitted from a location determination device 38.Moreover, the service operator can determine whether the vehicle islocated in a high crime area by comparing a location of the vehicleprovided by information transmitted from the location determinationdevice 38 to a list of known high theft locations pre-stored in thememory 40, wherein the service operator can apply more or more stringentsecurity requirements or adjust the number of required elements forconfirming an identity of an authorized user before authorizing theparticular user. The service operator 14 then compares the response(s)to the stored information such that if the response(s) correlates withthe stored information the service operator 40 can then send informationto the controller 30 to temporarily override a vehicle starting lockoutsystem 36 such that the user can start the vehicle using thenon-programmable key or malfunctioning programmable key. Further, theservice operator 40 can track the vehicle, using GPS signals from thecontroller 30 so as to limit the movement of the vehicle, such as to theuser's designated home location or to a nearby dealership, for example.

A third embodiment of the present invention involves the case where aprogrammable key is lost and no duplicate programmed key is available,but a programmable key 18 or multi-code key 20 is being used. In thiscase, an authorized dealer may be attempting to read the code from thecontroller memory 32 using a code reader 22 to provide a duplicateprogrammed key 18. It may also be the case that a thief is attempting tostart the vehicle using a multi-code key 20. Therefore, in accordancewith the present invention, when the controller 30 detects anunauthorized attempt to duplicate the starting code of the vehicle, thecontroller 30 locks out 36 the vehicle starting system, and directs thecommunication device 28 to inform the service operator 14 about thelockout. Optionally, the controller 30 can also lock out any outsidecode scanning. The service operator 14 then confirms the identity of theparticular user by comparison to the stored information (e.g. authorizedservice center code) in order to authorize the particular user, whereinthe service operator 14 can send information to the controller 30 toapprove the duplication of the starting code and release the lockout(s)36 of the vehicle starting system.

In addition, for further confirmation the service operator can confirmthat the vehicle is located at a pre-stored dealer's location providedby information transmitted from a location determination device 38.Moreover, the service operator can determine whether the vehicle islocated in a high crime area by comparing a location of the vehicleprovided by information transmitted from the location determinationdevice 38 to a list of known high theft locations pre-stored in thememory 40, wherein the service operator can apply more or more stringentsecurity requirements or adjust the number of required elements forconfirming an identity of an authorized user before authorizing theparticular user. The service operator 14 then compares the response(s)to the stored information such that if the response(s) correlates withthe stored information the service operator 40 can then send informationto the controller 30 to approve the code scanning and release thelockout(s) 36.

In all of the above embodiments, the controller 30 can lockout 36 thevehicle starting system and/or the scanning of codes upon detecting anattempt to start a vehicle without an authorized coded starting device,and only release the lockout 36 upon a signal from the service provider14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the present invention also includes a method ofproviding security for a vehicle starting system. The method includes afirst step of storing 100 secure information identifying an authorizeduser of a vehicle. In particular, the secure information can be definedby the authorized user when the Telematics service for that vehicle isfirst set up. For example, the secure information is information, suchas a password, mother's maiden name, birth date, information defined bythe user that is only known by the user, etc., which would only begenerally known by a driver of the vehicle. In addition, secureinformation can include a user's home location or a known authorizeddealer location, wherein a location of the vehicle can be provided by alocation determination device, such as a GPS unit, to the serviceoperator wherein the service operator can confirm that the vehicle is atthe user's home address or dealer before authorizing starting of thevehicle.

A next step includes detecting 102 an unauthorized attempt to start avehicle without an authorized coded starting device. An unauthorizedattempt, as used herein, is defined as any user using an unauthorizedcoded starting device for operating the starting system of the vehicle.An unauthorized coded starting device can include a programmable key orwireless transponder device (e.g. “credit card” RF identification tag)that has not been programmed with the proper code for that vehicle (butpossibly having the correct mechanical keying), a malfunctioningprogrammable key or non-programmable key (possibly having the correctmechanical keying), a multi-coded or “skeleton” key (possibly used inconjunction with a non-programmable key having the correct mechanicalkeying), and a code reader or scanner to read the starting code of thevehicle starting system (which is then used to program a programmablekey 18 with the correct code).

A next step includes placing 104 a telephone call to a service operatorrequesting service. The call can include an identification of thevehicle and a report of the unauthorized attempt. The identification caninclude one or more of the telephone number of the network access deviceof the TCU, the Mobile Identification Number (MIN), the VehicleIdentification Number (VIN), or any other unique identifier.

A next step includes calling 106 the vehicle by the service operatorupon receipt of the unauthorized attempt notification and the vehicleidentifier.

A next step includes confirming 108 the particular user of the vehicleusing the stored information. A service operator confirms the identityof the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information byasking the user or controller for one or more items of secureinformation that was pre-stored when service was initiated identifyingthat particular user. For further confirmation the service operator canconfirm that the vehicle is located at a user's home location or dealerlocation provided by information transmitted from a locationdetermination device in the vehicle. Moreover, the service operator candetermine whether the vehicle is located in a high crime area bycomparing a location of the vehicle provided by information transmittedfrom a location determination device to a list of known, pre-stored hightheft locations, wherein the service operator can apply more or morestringent security requirements or adjust the number of requiredelements for confirming an identity of an authorized user beforeauthorizing the particular user. The service operator then compares theresponse(s) to the stored information such that if the response(s)correlates with the stored information the service operator can thenauthorize starting of the vehicle. The stored information can also beused to store information as to whether the vehicle or coded startingdevice has been stolen, as could be supplied through public authorities.If the vehicle or coded starting device has been reported stolen, thenauthorization can be withheld, and the authorities could be contactedand given a location of the vehicle (if GPS equipped). Conversely,programming a coded starting device could be limited to only thosevehicles and/or coded starting devices with authorized identification.

A next step includes authorizing 110 the starting of the vehicle. Thisstep can include various aspects depending upon the type of unauthorizedattempt to start the vehicle. In the first embodiment, where aprogrammable key is lost and no duplicate programmed key is readilyavailable, but only an un-programmed programmable key is available, theauthorizing step 110 includes sending programming information to thevehicle for remotely programming the programmable coded starting device.Moreover, the transfer of information can be encrypted by the serviceoperator to be decrypted by the vehicle communication device beforeprogramming the key. Specifically, in the first embodiment, when thedetecting step 102 includes detecting that a user is using aprogrammable coded starting device, such as a programmable key or RFidentification device, that has not yet been programmed to start thevehicle, and wherein the placing step 104 includes requesting newprogramming for the programmable coded starting device, and wherein theconfirming step 108 includes asking the user for secure informationidentifying the particular user and comparing this to the storedinformation, and wherein the authorizing step 110 includes sendingprogramming information to the vehicle for programming the programmablecoded starting device.

In a second embodiment, where a programmable key is lost ormalfunctioning and no duplicate programmed key is readily available, butthe malfunctioning programmable key or an un-programmable key isavailable that can only be mechanically keyed to the ignition, theauthorizing step 110 includes sending information to the controller totemporarily override a vehicle starting lockout system such that theuser can start the vehicle using the non-programmable key ormalfunctioning programmable key. This second embodiment can include thefurther steps of tracking the vehicle, using the location determiningdevice of the vehicle, and limiting the movement of the vehicle, such asto the user's designated home location or to a nearby dealership, forexample. Specifically, when the detecting step 102 includes detectingthat a user is using a non-programmable coded starting device, such as amalfunctioning programmable key or a non-programmable key that ismechanically keyed to turn the ignition switch of the vehicle, to startthe vehicle, and wherein the placing step 104 includes a request tostart the vehicle using the non-programmable coded starting device, andwherein the confirming step 108 includes asking the user for secureinformation identifying the particular user and comparing this to thestored information, and wherein the authorizing step 110 includes theservice operator starting vehicle for the user. Alternatively, theauthorizing step 110 includes the service operator sending informationto temporarily override a vehicle starting lockout system.

In a third embodiment, where a programmable key is lost and no duplicateprogrammed key is available, but a programmable key, multi-code key, orcode reader is being used, the authorizing step 110 includes sendinginformation to the vehicle to allow code scanning. Specifically, whenthe detecting step 102 includes detecting one or more unauthorizedattempt to duplicate the starting code of the vehicle, and wherein theplacing step 104 includes information about the unauthorized attempt tothe service operator, and wherein the confirming step 108 includesidentifying the user and comparing this to the stored information, andwherein the authorizing step 110 includes the service operator approvingthe duplication of the starting code and a releasing of the lockout ofthe vehicle starting system.

In all of the above embodiments, the method can include the furthersteps of locking out 103 the vehicle starting system and/or the scanningof codes upon detecting 102 an attempt to start a vehicle without anauthorized coded starting device, and releasing 111 the lockout(s) upona signal from the service provider.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes may be made andequivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from thebroad scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may bemade to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of theinvention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore,it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particularembodiments disclosed herein, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method of providing security for a vehicle starting system, themethod comprising the steps of: storing secure information identifyingan authorized user of a vehicle; detecting an attempt to start a vehiclewithout an authorized coded starting device; placing a telephone callusing a vehicle communication device to a service operator requestingservice; calling the vehicle by the service operator; confirming theparticular user of the vehicle using the stored information; andauthorizing the starting of the vehicle.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the detecting step includes detecting that a user is using aprogrammable coded starting device that has not yet been programmed tostart the vehicle, and wherein the placing step includes requesting newprogramming for the programmable coded starting device, and wherein theconfirming step includes asking the user for secure informationidentifying the particular user and comparing this to the storedinformation, and wherein the authorizing step includes sendingprogramming information to the vehicle for programming the programmablecoded starting device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the codedstarting device is a programmable key.
 4. The method of claim 2, whereinthe coded starting device is an RF identification device.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes detecting that a user isusing a non-programmable coded starting device to start the vehicle, andwherein the placing step includes a request to start the vehicle usingthe non-programmable coded starting device, and wherein the confirmingstep includes asking the user for secure information identifying theparticular user and comparing this to the stored information, andwherein the authorizing step includes the service operator startingvehicle for the user.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein thenon-programmable coded starting device is a non-programmable key that ismechanically keyed to turn the ignition switch of the vehicle.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes detecting that auser is using a non-programmable coded starting device to start thevehicle, and wherein the placing step includes a request to start thevehicle using the non-programmable coded starting device, and whereinthe confirming step includes asking the user for secure informationidentifying the particular user and comparing this to the storedinformation, and wherein the authorizing step includes the serviceoperator sending information to temporarily override a vehicle startinglockout system.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the non-programmablecoded starting device is a non-programmable key that is mechanicallykeyed to turn the ignition switch of the vehicle.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the detecting step includes detecting an unauthorized attemptto duplicate the starting code of the vehicle, and further comprisingthe step of locking out the vehicle starting system, wherein the placingstep includes information about the lockout to the service operator, andwherein the confirming step includes identifying the user and comparingthis to the stored information, and wherein the authorizing stepincludes the service operator approving the duplication of the startingcode and a releasing of the lockout of the vehicle starting system. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the confirming step includes the substepsof: determining a location of the vehicle; and comparing the location ofthe vehicle with a list of known high theft locations, wherein thenumber of requirement elements of the confirming step are increased. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein the placing step includes sendingidentification information of the specific vehicle to the serviceoperator.
 12. A method of providing security for a vehicle startingsystem, the method comprising the steps of: storing secure informationidentifying an authorized user of a vehicle; detecting an attempt tostart a vehicle without an authorized key; placing a telephone callusing a vehicle communication device to a service operator requestingservice and sending identification information of the vehicle; callingthe vehicle by the service operator; confirming the particular user ofthe vehicle using the stored information; and authorizing the startingof the vehicle.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the detecting stepincludes detecting that a user is using a programmable key that has notyet been programmed for starting the vehicle, and wherein the placingstep includes requesting new programming for the programmable key, andwherein the confirming step includes asking the user for secureinformation identifying the particular user and comparing this to thestored information, and wherein the authorizing step includes sendingprogramming information to the vehicle for programming the programmablekey.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the detecting step includesdetecting that a user is using a non-programmable key that ismechanically keyed to turn the ignition switch of the vehicle forstarting the vehicle, and wherein the placing step includes a request tostart the vehicle using the non-programmable key, and wherein theconfirming step includes asking the user for secure informationidentifying the particular user and comparing this to the storedinformation, and wherein the authorizing step includes the serviceoperator sending information to temporarily override a vehicle startinglockout system.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the detecting stepincludes detecting an unauthorized attempt to duplicate the startingcode of the vehicle, and further comprising the step of locking out thevehicle starting system, wherein the calling step includes informationabout the lockout to the service operator, and wherein the confirmingstep includes asking the user for secure information identifying theparticular user and comparing this to the stored information, andwherein the authorizing step includes the service operator approving theduplication of the starting code and a releasing of the lockout of thevehicle starting system.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprisingthe steps of: determining a location of the vehicle; and comparing thelocation of the vehicle with a list of known high theft locations,wherein the number of requirement elements of the confirming step areincreased.
 16. A vehicle starting system with improved security for avehicle, comprising: a radio communication device incorporated in thevehicle; a service operator operable to provide service for the radiocommunication device, the service operator having stored secureinformation identifying an authorized user of a vehicle; a controllerincluded in the vehicle starting system and coupled to the radiocommunication system; and an unauthorized coded starting device foroperating the starting system, wherein when the controller detects anunauthorized attempt to start the vehicle, the controller directs theradio communication device to contact the service operator to send anidentification of the vehicle and to report the attempt, wherein theservice operator calls the vehicle communication device and confirms theparticular user of the vehicle using the stored information, wherein theservice operator authorizes the starting of the vehicle.
 17. The systemof claim 16, wherein when the controller detects that a user is using aprogrammable coded starting device that has not yet been programmed tostart the vehicle, the controller directs the communication device torequest new programming for the programmable coded starting device fromthe service operator, and wherein the service operator asks the user forsecure information identifying the particular user and compares this tothe stored information such that if the response correlates with thestored information the service operator can then send programminginformation to the controller for programming the programmable codedstarting device.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein when the controllerdetects that a user is using a non-programmable coded starting device tostart the vehicle, the controller directs the communication device torequest the service operator to start the vehicle using thenon-programmable coded starting device, and wherein the service operatorasks the user for secure information identifying the particular user andcompares this to the stored information such that if the responsecorrelates with the stored information the service operator can thensend information to the controller to temporarily override a vehiclestarting lockout system.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein when thecontroller detects an unauthorized attempt to duplicate the startingcode of the vehicle, locks out the vehicle starting system, and directsthe communication device to inform the service operator about thelockout, and wherein the service operator identifies the particular userby comparison to the stored information in order to authorize theparticular user, wherein the service operator can send information tothe controller to approve the duplication of the starting code andrelease the lockout of the vehicle starting system.
 20. The system ofclaim 16, further comprising a location determining device coupled tothe radio communication device, wherein when the controller detects theuse of an unauthorized coded starting device the controller directs theradio communication device to send a location of the vehicle to theservice operator, wherein the service operator compares the location ofthe vehicle with a list of known high theft locations and adjusts thenumber of required elements for confirming an identity of an authorizeduser accordingly.